Short Summary

Seven people were killed and at least 32 injured when fire swept through a shanty town near the South Korean capital of Seoul early on Thursday morning (20 August).

Description

Seven people were killed and at least 32 injured when fire swept through a shanty town near the South Korean capital of Seoul early on Thursday morning (20 August).

National police said later that about 1,400 people were left homeless after the blaze which destroyed many of the wooden huts in the area.

The shanty town was due to be demolished and replaced by apartment buildings, authorities said. The fire tragedy will mean that emergency temporary accommodation will have to be found for the destitute.